Pak players seek compensation for IPL ban

Pak cricketers are hoping for compensation from their board after being barred from taking place in the IPL this year for political reasons, a report said.

Written by Press Trust of India

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Karachi:

Pakistan cricketers are hoping for compensation from their board after being barred from taking place in the Indian Premier League this year for political reasons, according to a report.

A report in 'The News' on Saturday said the affected players had sent a letter to Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari, who is also patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board, saying the government's ban on its players taking part in the lucrative IPL was an "unnecessary initiative".

If the IPL had moved first to ban Pakistani players, they would have had "a golden opportunity to demand a reasonable compensation from the IPL organizers" but the government's pre-emptive move had negated that opportunity.

"Had they (IPL organizers) initiated the idea first, the players would have had a good case of compensation," the letter said.

The newspaper quoted an unnamed Pakistan player confirming the letter had been sent to Zardari. "I hope that the presidency would help the players get some relief from the PCB."

Pakistan's foreign ministry ruled earlier this month that the political environment was not conducive for Pakistan players to take part in the IPL given last year's Mumbai terrorist attacks which India had blamed on Pakistani militants. Those attacks also prompted India to call off a scheduled tour to Pakistan.